A better politics is one where we appeal to each other’s basic decency instead of our basest fears.

I think if you worked at the community level in Chicago and then a politician on the South Side of Chicago, and worked at the state level, then you're pretty familiar with all the variations of politics in the African American community and criticisms you may get. If you're not familiar with those or you don't have a thick enough skin to take it, then you probably wouldn't have gotten here.

This is an extraordinary achievement, nearly nine years in the making.

We cannot stop every act of senseless violence. We cannot know every evil that lurks in troubled minds. But if we can prevent even one tragedy like this, save even one life, spare other families what these families are going through, surely we've got an obligation to try.

I do make sure that I've got people who are experts that are helping me make the best decisions possible.

Tough talk often draws headlines, but war rarely conforms to slogans.

I've always wanted to come to Greece.